Chicago Cars

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Q: Is it possible to move to the Chicago area without having to give up your car?
Because of gasoline, parking, and higher insurance rates?
I do not want any more answers along the lines of the first two. I’m aware that Chicago has great public transportation. I’ve been there, but since I had to wait until I was 20 years old to get a car in the first place I have no desire whatsoever to give mine up, even if I didn’t need it.

A: Of course it’s possible. I have a car, millions of people here have a car. It’s no big deal. Sure you have to pay for a city sticker (about $75 a year), a state license plate sticker (also about $70), the occasional parking ticket ($25 if you pay it right away), etc. But it’s possible, in fact I recommend it. Sure, we have buses and trains, but do you know how much of a hassel it is to try to lug home groceries in the dead of winter down a freezing, snow covered street? And what if you purchase a bookcase or something from a furniture store. You gonna try to bring that home on the bus or pay someone to deliver it for you? What if the one you like is way out in the ‘burbs at Ikea? Call me lazy, but in those instances I’m using my car. Without a car, you’re confined to shopping at the grocery store nearest you and paying what they want you to pay. With my car, I can go to where the bargains are and since I don’t drive that much, my savings aren’t taken away in gas costs.

Yeah, gas is expensive, more expensive than in certain areas, but I only use my car on the weekends because it’s easier to get around, so I don’t spend that much on gas, maybe $30 a week on a busy weekend. and as far as insurance, if you have a good record, it’s not that much. I pay about $60 a month. In Illinois you really only have to have liability, the cheapest kind.

Finally, parking can be bad, but it’s not horrible. Yes, you have to move your car on street cleaning days, but once you figure out the schedule, you’ll know what side of the street to park your car to avoid having to get up and move it in the morning to get a ticket, or you just park it on a different block that isn;t having street cleaning. And if you make sure to check the parking meter if you know you’re going to be out for a while, you won’t let it expire and get a ticket. I use the timer on my phone to alert me it’s time to feed the meter again and I haven’t gotten a parking ticket in about a year. You might also move into a building that has designated parking spaces so that will alleviate some of the problems.

Bottom line, it’s doable.

Q: Chicago: Best place to park a car over the weekend?
Driving from Saint Louis to Chicago so I can fly out of Chicago’s O’Hare (long story). Wanted to save the exorbitant parking fees at O’Hare so was thinking of street parking near a friend’s place downtown and hoofing it all the way to O’Hare by CTA. Am wondering whether there’s an alternative parking spot closer to O’Hare (ideally a quiet neighborhood where I can leave my car, walk to a CTA stop, and take the CTA into O’Hare).

A: There’s an inexpensive parking garage at the Cumberland Blue line stop. It’s like $9 a day and Cumberland is 2 stops from O’Hare. The areas directly bordering the train stops have businesses or apartment complexes – and no parking without permits. Chicago neighborhoods are also permitted parking, so no overnight parking unless you have the right tag.

Q: Renting a car in the USA-tips for visiting NYC/Toronto and/or Chicago?
Hello,

I’m looking for information concerning a car rental in the States, do you know companies that offer interesting deals?

Second question: we might be tired of driving around and would want to fly from a city to the next, any low cost company you might suggest?

Last but not least, what are your advices concerning the cities to stop in between Toronto and NYC, and NYC and Chicago?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

A: The best way to do this is to
Fly in and out of NYC>
Use Newark >EWR >if you can
Do not rent a car while you’re in NYC
When you’re ready to head for Toronto then rent your car from EWR
Then drive to Toronto via Niagara Falls NY/ON
Then to Chicago via Windsor ON/Detroit MI
Then back to EWR>allow 16 hours with the time change
>>>>
One more thing to consider
I personally have never driven a rented vehicle across either the Canadian or Mexican border
I know for a fact that US car rental companies will not allow you to take one of their vehicles into Mexico >because it’s a Third World Country>
I’ll assume that the rules for taking a rented vehicle into Canada are a lot more lenient But I would still tell the rental company of my intention to do so just to make sure that I could

Q: Where can I find a Chicago Cubs jumbo window sticker for my rear car window?
I can only find the blue film ones, but I’m just looking for a simple, white window sticker/decal…a big one.

A: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&dfsp=32&from=R40&satitle=Chicago+Cubs+window+sticker&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&saprclo=&saprchi=&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=ZIP%2FPostal&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&fsop=32&fsoo=2 How bout these.

Q: As a guest of the Chicago Hilton are you expected to pay to park your car there?
I may be a little stupid or something but I just read on the website that parking was 43$ a day. Is that for guests? That is about 1/3 of what we payed for the room per night. I am confused and a little aggravated. Any help is greatly appreciated.

A: You’re not stupid, you’re just not accustomed to how ridiculously expensive it is to park in the City of Chicago. And how everything is ala carte in a big city, parking is no exception. Many people that stay take advantage of our mass transit. Or stay in the suburbs where parking is free. I don’t encourage the latter though – there is so much to do it is nice to be able to stay in the heart of it all the action.

If you don’t need your car consider leaving it at home, or parking at the CTA garage at Cumberland out by O’Hare. $12/day. See below for the entire list of garages. Then take the train, $2.25 a ride, $2 for buses.

Q: Anyone know any places on the southside of Chicago where I can get a FREE car diagnostic?
Had my beater for about a month and want to see what if anything is needed on it, bought it as is for about a thousand bucks.

A: auto zone and its free give them a try if you need work or something i know this mechanic that will do on-sight work and real affordable

Q: Where I can find in Chicago area people that REALLY know how and can put turbo on my car?
I just look for people that will not practice on my car, but will do it perfectly and profesionally, because it is a 2008 Honda Civic Cupe.

A: My boyfriend and i just went through this, use dsmtuners.com and look in the chat rooms. For the most part people on there know what they’re talking about. Ask around. I’m sure they can lead you to someone who can come install it or talk you through it.

Q: Is there a law limiting how much the city of Chicago can charge you or the # of times you car can be impounded
My friend’s car has been impounded three times in the last four weeks. It costs about $300-$400 every time to get it out. I know she has not been resposible but this seems excessive. She doesn’t even want to get it out this time. She just got it out two days ago.

A: She keeps getting it impounded, it will cost her the same every time. There is no “limit” on excessiveness. You would think after the first time at that amount of money she would learn her lesson. Tell her to quit doin what she is doing to get impounded and take responsibility for her actions.

Q: I need to find cheap or cheaper parking in Chicago near Northwestern Univ. I need to put my car somewhereHELP?
Need to find cheap or cheaper parking than $15.00 per hour. Will be in Chicago for about 3-6 hrs around Northwestern University. Is there anywhere that I can park and ride the bus that would make it cheaper per hour??? I’ll be there Friday Aug 7th from 9am till whenever.

A: Yes, but I can’t tell you the exact location.

There are at least 2 parking garages next to the train/el lines. They are inexpensive.

When you get to Evanston, drive near one of the train/el stations and you should see one of them. If not, ask. They can’t be far.

Q: I live in Chicago where i got a ticket for leaving my car running unattended,remote starter,6 degree.What give?
Is there really a law against remote starting your car to warm it up,if so,why would Illinois allow remote starters to be sold???-,it was 6 degrees.More nonsense so Illinois politicians can have pocket money????

A: i bet cops and Judges don’t get into a cold car…
was there a sign posted?? or call the precinct and see if there is a law//// better yet call 311(non-emergency#) and ask..
it would be a stupid law if there ever was a stupid law..
i know we can do it where i live because many have them.

Q: Chicago without a car?
I want to visit Chicago (I’ve never been there). Is it possible to do everything that there is to do without renting a car? A car on vacation is annoying. You get lost all of the time and have to worry about parking. I want to go to a place where you can walk around without missing anything. I dont mind taking the train sometimes, but not all of the time. Is Chicago the place for me?

A: Chicago has a good public transit system. Between trains, buses, trolleys (in the summer) and the El, you can get around easily. It is also a city that has many things to explore on foot. Parking can be very expensive in Chicago, so it is definitely budget conscious to take public transit. If you are traveling on the weekends, you can purchase a weekend pass for $5 which allows you to ride the metra trains.

If you are staying downtown, or even in the burbs (another $$ saver tip), you can quite easily get downtown or to the major attractions. Both baseball parks are reachable by the EL. The museum campus(Planetarium, Field Museum, Aquarium) and Soldier Field are reachable by bus. Navy Pier has free trolleys that run throughout the summer months and Millennium and Grant Parks are an easy walk from the Magnificent Mile.

Some hotels, Hilton for one, offers shopping shuttles during specific times of the year too. Ask the concierge when you arrive or during booking.

The Sears Tower has a great view but so does the Signature Room on the 95th and 96th floors of the Hancock Building. If you want to save some more $$, do the lunch buffet at the Signature Room. It is $18 p/p and all you can eat. You get the famous Chicago view, famous Chicago Chefs and famous Chicago history for a real steal.

You can get good deals during off times at Priceline’s Name Your Own Price link. I once stayed at the Hilton across from Grant Park for less than $120 a night that way.

You can take the BNSF west to the Zoostop if you want to see Brookfield Zoo. Or all the way to Naperville if you want to see Naper Settlement.

For a link to the transit systems check out:

www.metrarail.com

Q: Can a traveler park his/her car overnight in Michigan City, Ind. and connect with Chicago transportation?
I was told the Chicago Loop elevated connects with Michigan City and it is possible to park and ride into downtown Chicago. Has anyone done this?

A: Yes, you can take the South Bend/South Shore train from Michigan City to Chicago. I believe you can get the train on Carroll Avenue, or 11th Street (2 locations) Go to http://www.nictd.com/service/schedules.htm for schedule.

PARKING: Parking is provided at all stations (South Bend thru Hegewisch). Some lots fill up quickly on weekdays, especially Hammond, Gary Metro Center, and 11th St. in Michigan City. Pay parking ONLY at Hegewisch, Gary Metro Center, and South Bend.

Hegewisch parking is managed by IMPark. Call 866-989-1199 with questions.
Gary Metro Center surface parking is managed by the Gary Public Transportation Corporation. Please call 219-885-7555 for more information.
South Bend Airport provides several different parking lots and rates. For more information please visit their web site by clicking here.

Hope this helps!

Q: Car Pools or Public Transportation to Wood Dale from Chicago?
I need to find either a carpool going from Chicago (around humboldt park) to a wood dale, IL address…also if anybody knows of any public transportation that would get me close that would be awesome too!

i may have a possible job offer in wood dale, so in tough times like the country is in now i desperately need help!

A: You could take the Milwaukee District West Metra line from Union Station to the Wood Dale Metra. You could take the CTA buses to Union Station and the PACE buses from the Wood Dale station.

Good luck with the job offer!

Q: How can I get from Notre Dame, Indiana (near Chicago) to Canada without a car?
I’m down with train, bus, greyhound…. maybe not hitchhiking… but most other forms of transportation…

any help would be awesome. thanks.

A: notre dame, indiana is actually called south bend, indiana. if you decide to fly, their is an airport that is actually extremely cheap. also if you can find a train from either chicago or south bend (amtrak) that goes to british comumbia, quebec, or ontario. just go to the amtrak website. have fun.

Q: How can I get from Notre Dame, Indiana (near Chicago) to Canada without a car?
I’m down with train, bus, greyhound…. maybe not hitchhiking… but most other forms of transportation…

any help would be awesome. thanks.

A: What part of CANADA were you looking to get to?

If you want to get to Toronto, your best bet is by air

http://www.cheapoair.com

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